Following talks with the Serb member of the Bosnia-Herzegovina presidency, Zeljka Cvijanovic, Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said the European Union's policy regarding the Western Balkans is "absurd, irresponsible and dangerous, resulting in decisions and statements that fundamentally undermine the region's peace".

"It is clear to everyone that the peace and stability of the Western Balkans is key to that of Europe," Minister Szijjártó told a press conference held with Cvijanovic.

Hungary pursues a responsible neighborhood policy because Europe "could not handle another security crisis", and because it has recognised the importance of the region's stability and that dialogue based on mutual respect is key to that, Minister Szijjártó said.

Minister Szijjártó emphasised that "threatening with sanctions, and ignoring, humiliating and belittling democratically-elected leaders ... brings tensions and could bring about extremely dangerous situations".

He called for "significant changes" to the EU's Western Balkans policy, saying the bloc "should leave behind the deeply anti-democratic practice of speaking of leaders of the region, rather than with them". EU institutions and member states should also respect the will of the people, and that "every country has the right to decide about its future, fate and leaders. These decisions brook no external interference," he said.

"We respect the democratic will of the Republika Sprska of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Accordingly, we work together with President Milorad Dodik and the leaders of the Republika Sprska," he said.

Cooperation between Hungary and the Republika Sprska offers "very serious opportunities", he said.

Three large infrastructure development programmes are in the pipeline, laying the groundwork for the participation of Hungarian companies, he said.

In a recently concluded agricultural programme, 1,800 Bosnian farmers received support to the tune of 14 billion forints (EUR 34.3m) combined, to be spent on purchasing agricultural machinery from Hungarian companies, he said.

Fielding questions from journalists, Minister Szijjártó said that a newly published report by the US Trade Representative had been based on information from US ambassadors, "and the chapter on Hungary, which is spreading lies and fake news, was dictated by former ambassador David Pressmann."

Meanwhile, he said Hungary was the only member state to vote against European counter-tariffs imposed on the US, arguing that they were expected to lead to price hikes and "we should make every effort to negotiate with the US".